Union Pacific Railroad reminds drivers to use caution at railroad crossings while traveling during the Independence Day holiday.

“Independence Day is a special time for gathering with family and friends, and we urge drivers to use caution as they approach and cross railroad tracks,” said Robert Morrison, Union Pacific Chief of Police. “Drivers should always expect a train and obey all railroad signals and gates when traveling during this holiday week.”

With a companywide focus on safety and proactive public education through UPCARES initiatives (Union Pacific Crossing Accident Reduction Education and Safety), Union Pacific consistently works to educate residents of the more than 7,000 communities where Union Pacific operates of the need for caution around railroad tracks.

Union Pacific has reduced grade crossing incidents by 37 percent across its rail network since 2001. UPCARES initiatives promote pedestrian and driver safety through a variety of outreach efforts:

Grade crossing education and enforcement, during which motorists violating rail crossing signage and laws are educated about the dangers of such actions. Related “positive enforcement” initiatives reward drivers who operate safely at grade crossings.

Safety trains, which host local law enforcement, media and public officials and provide them the opportunity to ride in the locomotive cab and see traffic violations from a locomotive engineer’s point of view. This activity also allows Union Pacific to connect with community leaders and help them better understand the railroad’s focus on safety.

Communication blitzes, which educate the public via community events, media outreach and paid advertising. Media outreach coincides with safety trains in UP communities.

According to the Federal Railroad Administration, 271 people died and 930 were injured in 2012 as a result of grade crossing incidents across the United States.

About Union Pacific

Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). One of America’s most recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad links 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. From 2007-2012, Union Pacific invested $18 billion in its network and operations to support America’s transportation infrastructure, including a record $3.7 billion in 2012. The railroad’s diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Coal, Industrial Products and Intermodal. Union Pacific serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers, operates from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada’s rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways. Union Pacific provides value to its roughly 10,000 customers by delivering products in a safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible manner.

Comments

Things a REAL railroad Operation Lifesaver (OL) group would ask!!!1. Why are all OL directors handpuppets of the railroad or government only giving lip service safety messages?2. Why nothing is ever mentioned by OL that would cost the railroads a penny on the obviously missing safety equipment and track maintenance work?3. Where are the crossing safety signals for the trains going too fast with no brakes or steering at 1,000s of crossings?4. Where are the track video monitors for the trains going too fast with no brakes or steering to get the train stopped IN TIME?5. Why aren't railroads paying at least half for crossing signals because it's their trains going too fast with no brakes or steering while paying the so-called RR directors millions a year.6. Why the crossing humps trapping big trucks aren't required to be removed?7. Why the crossing surfaces aren't wider where if a vehicle fish tails on slick road and is trapped at the edge of the crossing surface trap?8. Why the train cabs aren't required to be lit up like a Christmas tree with emergency vehicle light bars? LOOK AND SEE!!9. Why the front of trains aren't required to have air bags or something to soften impacts?10. Why trains don't have better braking systems? OLIs message now shows train brakes obviously suck.11. Why there are no bidding invitations on the obviously overcharged crossing projects the tax-payers pay the railroads for. $10,000 just to get the equipment to the sight. TRUCKED IN.12. Why trains are allowed to run in the fog?13. Why the crossings aren't lit up so drivers can see the black rail cars across the tracks at night?14. Why railroads remove and steal signals we paid for on closed re-worked crossings?15. Why $$$millions$$$ of the rail safety budget we pay in is wasted on needless reworks at crossings preventing signals where needed?16. Why the railroad isn't required to de-ice crossings before they roll the trains?17. Why the railroad isn't required to raise their overpasses so big trucks can get under them? The railroad wants to double stack and our road overpasses are too low---no problem WE PAY MILLIONS.18. Why drug/alcohol tests aren't done on rail crews at crossing/pedestrian collisions?19. Why railroads are allowed to get off with the train black box , signal black box (if crossing signals are present), and cab video at crossing/pedestrian collisions?20. Why the fact is hidden that trains kill a few thousand people in 100 million train miles when regular drivers have like ONE death?21.Why Amtrak passengers aren't required to look at the despicable shape of the crossings before they board the trains?22.Why train horns aren't blown at private crossings till the last second freezing drivers?23.Why the railroads track lights can't be at a crossing?24 .Why railroads need track lights and civilians don't?WAITING FOR OLI/OLI.CA response.

...we've all seen it...You all seen the ridiculous amounts UP pays it board members so instead of extra security guards by the railroad they put a article in the paper like they really give a flying flamingo.

It's unreasonable to expect UP to put security guards at each crossing. People have to use some common sense, it is now 2013. The railroads have been around longer than anyone alive, we've had time to acclimate.